Getting back into the hobby

[butter boy]

Hi everyone,

I've been out of the hobby for around 6 years and am starting to catch the bug again. I've checked out all my old GW paints and a lot of them are knackered and need to be replaced. I'm wondering if I should go for GW paints or start venturing into the vallejo range. Vallejo seems to get good reviews all around but I have no idea if I should be going for VMC or VGC. GW have brought out an entirely new range of paints since I last picked up a brush and I understand have changed the names of their paints?

What paints would you recommend, which do you use and how do they compare to other ranges?

Thanks and best regards.

 

[cfwheeler58]

Lots of choices.

VMC has a lot of color choices and is well suited to military/historical.
VMC, in my experience, is fragile and rubs off easily.

VGC is more robust to handle, with color selections which
basically mimic the previous generation of GW/Citadel.

Many here will also swear by the Reaper Master triads
Quality paint, wide selection, eyedropper bottles


Privateer Press ( Warmachine and Hordes ) has fans as well.

Don't know the quality of Armypainter but they tout the
fact that they have many of the colors available as spray.
This would be useful if you do not have an airbrush and want
to do a lot of figures in one theme, as an army.

I know there has also been treatment here on the cost per
ounce. Someone could point you to one of those old threads,
I would assume.

 

[MAXXxxx]

well I'm no fan of the new gw-range, so by my suggestion: forget them.
As for the vallejo... I find VGC worse, than gw's paints, so I'd only recommend vmc/vac (air color) from them.
Also looking into reaper/P3/coat'd'arms could help a lot too.

2 I heard really good things about:
- andrea miniatures paint (basically vmc)
- scale75's new paintline... I'm still thinking about getting it, but do I really need it besides 200+ other paint-pots/droppers ... probably not.

 

[Zab]

If you like the paint pot system GW and P3 are good. Reaper is pretty sweet too, stay way from vallejo game color it's weirdly runny and not as opaque as their other lines - which are great. Just try to get a bunch of starter sets from various companies of colors that you like and don't get bogged down with one brand. Failing that use whatever brand is most easily accessible to you since you don't want to wait for 4-6 weeks to replace color should you run out part way through a project Welcome back!

 

[butter boy]

Thanks for all of your replies,

(I think I'm a bit set on the vallejo ranges as I have been watching countless YouTube videos where these ranges are being used to good effect. (Have seen little of the other ranges mentioned bar GW))

They have raised a couple of extra questions I wonder if you would be kind enough to answer:

1. VMC is rather fragile and I've read the VGC can be a bit glossy. Can these issues be sorted with matt varnish?

2. I understand that VMC is aimed at military modellers and have heard that some of the brighter/fantasy/sci-fi......ish colours are absent from the range. Is this the case?

3. Can anyone recommend which sets to buy. I've been thinking about VMA for metallics, I don't have an airbrush but have heard they are some of the best metallics out there. Maybe I should get some VMC and VGC? I can only seem to find the complete sets for these ranges however and as much as id like to have both that would be both expensive and hazardous (the missus would shoot me!)

Cheers again.

 

[Zab]

1. yes and you should always seal your gaming minis anyway, display pieces not so much but if they are glossy where you want them flat, yeah. Testors dulcote will be best to avoid frosting issues caused by some other brands of matte sprays.
2. yeah, but they have great neutrals and earth tones in that line and you can get brighter colors from other ranges/brands.
3. no experience here with them. I use army painter and GW for my metallics. People seem to hate the new GW metallics, but i have had nothing but great results with them. I think metallics are tricky because everybody likes different properties about different brands so try whatever you can get your hands on and see what you like to work with.

 

[Wyrmypops]

I find the current GW paint range rather splendiferous. Strong "base" colours, "layers" for the highlights, can ignore the "edge" paints unless you like the way GW highlights stuff with minimal medium tones and just goes for edge highlights. The "technical" paints are particularly spiffing, great shortcuts in basing minis.
With a dark "base", a medium "layer" and a lighter "layer" they've actually made enough to serve well as triads. Well worth a peruse of the racks when you have a gap that needs filling.

The P3 paints I've tried have been excellent. I'd go for select paints in their range. They have some other ranges don't do. Certain white paints and "coal black" I couldn't do without.

Bad experiences with reaper paints mean I wouldn't recommend them. Poor coverage that rubs away with minimal contact. The triads are good and a clever idea particularly for certain problem colours.

VGC feel like a cheap intro paint to me. Not excellent in any direction, not terrible either, but don't do well when compared to other ranges.

VMC are satisfying. The metallics especially. They use finer metallic flecks apparently.
VMA are that, but runnier, made for airbrushes. The Silver is a particular favourite as you can apply it thinly and employ the layering style of highlight.

Army Painter would be a good fit for someone intending painting an army. With many of their colours also available in sprays to cut down on having to brush on block base coats. Their quickshades are nifty for folk not really into the painting side of the hobby and just want moderately decent stuff done swiftly. Their inks are well worth checking out by even the fancier painters though.

Cote D'Arms are still going. They've a few paints that folk may recognise from the early GW range, and a load of new inks of varying strengths.

Lifecolor do a Flesh Paint Set that gives you two triads or dark/medium/light tones. They stand out as the best flesh paints I've enjoyed, heartily recommended.

 

[MAXXxxx]

1. yes, but I'd still advise you against vgc
2. vmc also has quite a few bright strong colors, they are not absent
3. vmc for metallics is a really good choice, one of the best imho (apart from a few aluclad, but that's not acryl)

you mention complete sets: I think you should forget it. Just buy the colors you need and slowly build up the paints you use.
I tried it at the beginning, bought the then 72 colors from vgc. result? half of the colors are dried in the bottles, and I never opened them (never needed the colors) --> waste of money.

 

[RuneBrush]

You're going to get quite a few different opinions on paint brand

• A lot of people dislike the new GW ones - I like them and find the new range superior to the previous one. The base/layer format takes a bit to get to grips with but once you do, they're pretty consistent. They're the most expensive going, but I think they're worth it in the long run. [fliptop pot]
• P3 are a good brand, similar to GW but with different colours. They do 'triads' that are designed as a shade/base/highlight system. [fliptop pot]
• Vallejo Model Color has a massive range, a lot of historically accurate colours and the odd RAL numbered colour too. [dropper bottle]
• Vallejo Model Air are fantastic, super fine pigments and can be used with a brush or airbrush. The metallics are amazing. [dropper bottle]
• Vallejo Game Color is awful, inconsistent paint and poor finish. [dropper bottle]
• Army painter now produce a range that are getting good reviews. Their "ink" range is pretty good and they have 100% colour match with some paints and their spray cans. [dropper bottle]
• Scale75 are producing sets of paint around the £20 mark that are designed to do specific paint jobs. They do a couple of NMM ones, a flesh one, monotone and some others. [dropper bottle]

One thing I would say is to not buy any large/mega sets, I stupidly bought a box of VGC and VMC about 5/6 years ago. I used perhaps a handful of paints and ended up selling the boxes on eBay in the end (nabbing the ones I did use of course). Worst purchase I ever made in truth.

My own personal advice - get the paint colours that you need for the job you're doing. I'm very similar to Wyrmypops. The bulk of my paints are GW - quite a few of the new ones, and various ones of different ages. They're complemented with a handful of P3 pots (battlefield brown and menoth white base), a few VMC (ivory, german grey, plus a few other randoms) and a growing number of VMA and Vallejo Surface Primers. Although I did get one of the GW mega sets years ago (when they went over to the hexagonal pots), the majority of my collection have been bought when I've been doing something that needs a specific colour.

One thing that has just dawned on me too, is that paint ranges very much depend upon what you're painting. Vallejo tends to produce very realistic colours so people who paint a lot of one off's, busts and display pieces have quite an abundance of VMC and VMA, however people who paint armies or very fantastical miniatures tend to go for GW, Army Painter or P3 as the colours are much more vibrant (and unrealistic).

pete

 

[butter boy]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I must admit I'm surprised how much love the GW range has received. It seems to be a trend to slate it at every opportunity. Similarly surprised at the many criticisms VGC has received. I've located a store near me that opened during my break from the hobby and will pop in there at the weekend and see what they stock keeping in mind everyones kind and helpful advise.

 

[Wyrmypops]

I've found the acquisition of paints similar to the minis. The collectable side. Seeing one that could do this or that, it gets bought. All the feel good feeling with anticipation of using them on that part of this mini or this part on that mini, then finally doing it and experiencing how the paint works in regard to its coverage, opacity, how it plays against other paints with its proportions of the pure primary and grey elements. Even if they only get used a couple of times it seems like a worthwhile investment. The really rather low price of a pot of paint vs all the feels and the knowledge they add to the stack in that part of our hobby brainbox.

 

[MAXXxxx]

I have almost point by point the same opinion as Runebrush Except maybe the last part, where I think even vmc has enough vibrant colors.

but still the 2 best advice I got over the years (about paints):
- forget the paint-sets
- mix the different paints from different manufacturers to get the best

 

[RuneBrush]

Except maybe the last part, where I think even vmc has enough vibrant colors.

I stand corrected In truth, when looking for a new colour, I tend to only glance through VMC range. I think next time I need to actually go through the range properly

One other pointer, is that it is possible to purchase empty 17ml dropper bottles. With a bit of care, it's possible to decant paints in flip top pots into dropper bottles. I really recommend this for paints that you use a lot - I've got my Space Wolves 'triad' in dropper bottles and it makes life so much easier

 

[Rahz]

One other pointer, is that it is possible to purchase empty 17ml dropper bottles. With a bit of care, it's possible to decant paints in flip top pots into dropper bottles. I really recommend this for paints that you use a lot - I've got my Space Wolves 'triad' in dropper bottles and it makes life so much easier

Since I was just looking this stuff up, here are some options I found for myself.

Reaper sell dropper bottles in packs of 4 or 5. or the Warstore has some as well http://www.thewarstore.com/product61545.html. If you want to order a bunch of dropper bottles, there are options like this http://www.sks-bottle.com/340c/fin21a.html which is likely where the Warstore is getting theirs in the first place.

 

[RuneBrush]

On a similar vain, within the UK, I've found them here:

http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk/17ml-empty-dropper-bottle-for-mixing-70-096-vallejo-val70096.html

and

http://www.modelsforsale.com/catalo...84878-Vallejo-17ml-Empty-Dropper-Bottle-70096

Sadly I've not managed to source any 3rd party ones that work as well. Most seem to have a poor dropper for paint (but fine for thinner liquids) and drilling out doesn't give quite the same effect.

Edit: Also: http://www.snmstuff.co.uk/empty-dropper-bottles-6-1/

 

[butter boy]

Quick update if anyone is interested.

Popped into my local store and bought some gw paints. They also had some VMA but were rather low on stock so may look to get the some of those in the near future as I keep hearing good things about their metallics and the white paint.

Thanks again to you all.

 

[Dragonsreach]

They also had some VMA but were rather low on stock so may look to get the some of those in the near future as I keep hearing good things about their metallics and the white paint.

Yep VMA are very good paints BUT please remember that they are designed for Airbrush use so the coverage via a sable isn't quite the same and you will need more carefully applied base layers. Otherwise they're very fine paints.

 

[butter boy]

Do you still water down VMA paint if applying with a brush or is it thin enough to apply straight from the bottle? As a final update to this I have literally just primed 20 dark elf spearmen. Very much looking forward to cracking the paints out. Thanks to everyone for your help once again.

 

[Matt Cexwish]

The new Citadel / GW Colour Range is very good, I must say! I particulary love the very intense and beautiful Red and Blue / Green Tones as they are incredible, highly pigmented... Also, the Metals look really lovely, lots of Variations to chose from... The blunt finish of the Abadon Black and Imperial Primer and the chalky finish of the White Scar are a bummer, as the old Chaos Black and Skull White were absolutel fantastic tones, but I still have a small pile of the old, important colours flying around (like Bleached Bone, Scorched Brown, Chaos Black, Skull White, all the Inks, all the Washes, all the Foundation Colours...)... Having said that, you will need around 30 - 40 pots to have a Basic Supply of Colours... I also love the P3 Range! Good Luck finding your own Range Preference!

 

[RuneBrush]

Do you still water down VMA paint if applying with a brush or is it thin enough to apply straight from the bottle? As a final update to this I have literally just primed 20 dark elf spearmen. Very much looking forward to cracking the paints out. Thanks to everyone for your help once again.

Depends on what you're doing. They can be quite comfortably used straight out the bottle, but if you're trying to do blends or what not, then thinning will help